KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Tino Best was run out going for the winning run to condemn Barbados to a share of the WICB Regional One-day title with Leeward Islands, when the low-scoring Grand Final ended in a historic tie yesterday.
Best failed to beat wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton’s direct hit at the bowler’s end, as Barbados, chasing 140 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, narrowly failed to limp over the threshold, with an incredible 72 balls remaining in the match at Sabina Park.
The result formalised the first completed match tie in regional One-day history, and meant that Barbados have effectively won their sixth regional One-day title, and Leewards have won their seventh.
Kirk Edwards’ resolute 44 from 90 balls looked to be carrying Barbados to victory, after Lionel Baker, later named the Man-of-the-Match, undermined their batting with five wickets for 33 runs from his allotted 10 overs.
Edwards however, committed the cardinal sin of leaving it to others, when Gavin Tonge bowled him with one run needed.
Best joined fellow fast bowler Kemar Roach at the crease, and trying to be a hero, he ended-up with zero, when he played his first ball – and final delivery of the 38th over – from Gavin Tonge along the pitch.
He responded favourably to Roach’s call for the single that would have covered the Tridents in glory, but Hamilton’s throw was unerring.
The Barbadians have only themselves to blame however. They made a mess of the chase, after they restricted Leewards to 139 in 32.5 overs, with opposing captain Wilden Cornwall leading the way for his side with four fours and a six in 43 from 49 balls.
Best was the pick of the Barbados bowlers with four for 28 from 6.5 overs, and Barbados captain Ryan Hinds captured three for 30 from 10 overs.
Barbados then made a shaky start to their pursuit of the seemingly modest target, as they reached 40 for two from 11 overs before the interval.
The Barbadians lost left-hander Jason Haynes caught behind for a second-ball duck off leg-spinner Anthony Martin in the second over, and fellow opener Dale Richards was bowled by Baker for 20 in the seventh over.
After the break, Barbados slumped to 54 for five in the 17th over, when Baker had Hinds caught behind for 16, and Jonathan Carter caught at slip for one, while Dwayne Smith was run out for four.
Carlo Morris joined Edwards, and nursed Barbados’ chances back to health with a stand of 47 for the sixth wicket before Baker bowled him for 26.
This left Barbados needing 39 to win from the remaining 119 deliveries, but there was not enough substance from Edwards, and there was even less stability from the tail-enders, as the Barbadians were left broken-hearted.
Earlier, Best wobbled Leewards, after they chose to bat. He bowled opener Montcin Hodge with the fourth ball of the match for a duck, and had Steve Liburd caught at slip for five in the fifth over.
In between West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach had Chesney Hughes caught at cover for a five-ball duck, as Leewards stumbled to 17 for three. Barbados again, felt the weight of Wilden Cornwall’s bat. The Leewards captain struck a half-century against his opponents in the group stage, and returned to again dominate in a stand of 60 for the fourth wicket with Javia Liburd.
Hinds however, had Liburd stumped for 12 in the 15th over, and Jacques Taylor caught behind for eight in the 19th over to leave Leewards spinning on 87 for five.
Cornwall gave Best a return catch in the 25th over, and the rest of the Leewards batting fell away, with the innings coming to a close, when Justin Athanaze was overcome by exhaustion in the sweltering heat, and could not continue.
Leewards were champions in 1978 (shared with Jamaica – match incomplete – weather), 1982, 1993 (shared with Guyana – match incomplete – weather), 1994, 1995, and 1997, while Barbados were title-holders in 1973, 1976, 1977, 1988, and 2002.
The Barbadians had planned for a solo victory, which they would have dedicated to the memory of the island’s late Prime Minister David Thompson. He passed away the previous day, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Incidentally, the late Prime Minister was the uncle of Marlon Graham, but the all-rounder sadly did not make the Barbados 11 for the Grand Final.
